Sanjay Bangar: 201 worth far more on Mohali track

Mohlai: India's batting coach, Sanjay Bangar feels that a score of 201 is worth a lot more on what seems to be a challenging wicket at Mohali. "It is a very challenging wicket, where run-making is not easy. It looks 201 on the board, but it is worth far more than 201," Bangar said.

Sanjay Bangar

India won the toss and elected to bat first, but could not take advantage of it, with the South African spinners accounting for seven wickets. When asked if India lost out on capitalising on that opportunity, Bangar said, "I think to an extent, yes. We've got them at 28-2 in 20 overs. It just proves the point that 201 is worth far more than what it looks on the scoreboard."

It was a tough day for the batsmen at Mohali as they tried to adjust to the conditions. Murali Vijay (75) was perhaps the exception as he spent time in the middle and looked fluent. Bangar felt that bowlers have the advantage on this wicket. "I think the bowlers do have an upper hand on this track and the batsmen have to cope with that," he said.

Birthday boy Virat Kohli walks back after being dismissed for one. Pic/AFP

'Good spin bowling'Bangar praised South Africa's Dean Elgar, who claimed 4-22, calling it "good spin bowling" from the part-time spinner. "He (Elgar) was willing to throw the ball up in the air for a longer period, above the eye-line of the batsmen. That was actually good spin bowling, where he created certain angles that probably forced our batsmen to commit mistakes," Bangar said.